I looked at this obelisk and couldn't quite figure out why it was more expensive that other more-elaborately carved monuments. But, when i re-checked the order book, I noticed that the entry was for "Scotch Peterhead Granite Monument" at $1100 (the equivalent of $30,467 today). It turns out that Scotch Peterhead granite was a choice red--and a buyer paid a premium for it.